This comes as Hawaii just announced its highest number of new Covid cases; more than 2,200 cases today. Something is going to change.
We’re sure that many of you, like us, couldn’t help but wonder if some form of a new travel testing model that starts tomorrow won’t find its way to Hawaii, and soon. Hawaii officials have been stating that they want to change the way Hawaii travel Covid testing works.
Things will be changing when traveling to the US Commonwealth of Puerto Rico this week, as the island begins mandating Covid tests for all travelers effective tomorrow, including those vaccinated.
Does Hawaii travel need a new Covid testing model?
Hawaii is between a rock and a hard place. The state faces problems no matter which way it turns. To continue to allow vaccinated travelers to travel to Hawaii without testing clearly does nothing to prevent the spread of Omicron. And while still “apparently” small, the numbers associated with travel are rapidly escalating.
Problems with this new model could be challenging in the short term as it comes as the US faces yet another test shortage, with soaring demand and limited availability at stores, online, and test locations. For example, here on Kauai, one of the island’s largest test sites had to move its location to the Target parking lot when lines of cars blocked traffic at its Lihue location and police had to be summoned.
How the new Covid travel system works in Puerto Rico.
Starting tomorrow, all domestic passengers arriving in PR are required to provide negative coronavirus tests taken within 48 hours of arrival, regardless of vaccination status. That choice is somewhat of a middle-ground between 72-hour tests and the harder to obtain 24-hour tests. Previously, only passengers who were unvaccinated were required to provide proof of a negative test in Puerto Rico.
“As of December 27th, 2021, all passengers arriving on domestic flights are required to show a negative test result taken within 48 hours before arrival time, regardless of vaccination status. Passengers arriving without a test will have 48 hours to take one upon arrival or be subject to a fine. Unvaccinated travelers must quarantine for 7 days after arriving, regardless of whether they have a negative test result.”
Puerto Rico maintains its version of Hawaii’s Safe Travels where proof of vaccination, testing, and a health questionnaire are all uploaded before travel.
What kinds of tests will Puerto Rico accept?
At present, it is our understanding that the island is allowing PCR and antigen tests, but not at-home tests. Their website’s travel guidelines have not been completely updated in that regard, however.
“If arriving without a test, they must upload either a PCR molecular or antigen COVID-19 test taken on Island within 48 hours of arrival or receive a ($300) fine.”
Vaccinated travelers who choose to test on arrival do not need to quarantine while awaiting results, while those unvaccinated must quarantine for seven days.
On airport testing option.
Puerto Rico says that “for passengers who are not vaccinated… (the airport) offers PCR molecular COVID-19 tests on site. The service costs USD 110 and is offered from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., seven days a week.” It looks like vaccinated passengers must find other testing options, at least for now.
What are other off-shore US islands doing?
American Samoa. At present, travel is restricted to essential purposes. “All travelers require advance permission from the Government of Samoa prior to travel.”
US Virgin Islands. All domestic visitors must provide a negative antigen or PCR test within 5 days of arrival, including those fully vaccinated.
US Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Effective December 27, all arrivals, including those fully vaccinated will receive Covid tests upon arrival. Travelers are to be quarantined while awaiting test results, and it isn’t clear what that duration of time might be.
Why 72-hour testing doesn’t work.
The amount of time between a test and actual travel is critical. The reason is obvious. While you may test negative that far in advance, you would become infected, especially with Omicron, in the time between then and your travel to Hawaii.
Hawaii has been relying on PCR tests only from its “trusted partner” tests, which typically take longer and can be more expensive, but are said to be more accurate than ubiquitous rapid antigen tests.
Testing after arrival in Hawaii too?
What about people who test negative even within 24-hours of a flight, but later test positive after arriving in Hawaii? Will Hawaii consider additional testing after arrival?
What about fully vaccinated Hawaii visitors and returning residents?
Hundreds of your comments have pointed out the need for everyone to be tested, without regard to vaccination status. Vaccines aren’t effective at limiting the spread of Omicron although they may remain very useful at reducing the severity of the disease. In addition, recent reports say that even those who have had Covid boosters may only have the ability to block transmission for up to 10 weeks.
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Lots of good ideas about testing. I still have concerns about our personal experience of being 3 times vaccinated, catching the virus on the plane on our return home to Kauai, and not having symptoms show until day 5. A 24 hour test before flying wouldn’t have solved that problem. We are certain that we caught it from two very sick young children from the same family sitting next to us on the nearly 7 hour flight. Too young to be vaccinated and unmasked for the entire flight.
Hello I’m headed to Maui on the 3rd. CVS trusted testing partner is only doing PCR tests on the 30th and January 2nd. Hawaii is requiring 72hr pcr test results. I’m taking the pcr test on the 30th with CVS will I be able to get on the plane on the 3rd considering testing wasn’t available on the 31st and 1st due to store closures on those dates
Jose, It has to be less than 72hrs before your flight leaves the mainland. No exceptions
You’ll be able to get on the plane, but you won’t like what happens when you land in Hawaii.
JOSE… Welcome to the conundrum! You might try Walgreens. (Don’t know where you live.) Depending on what airport you are flying out of and what time of day you are flying, you might be able take advantage of testing at the airport but it is expensive. Also check for Rapid Results Testings which you could do on January 2. In our state, the state covers all types of COVID testing. If you tell us where you live and what airport you are flying out of, I’d be happy to help find something for you.
Aloha Folks,
I believe that the problem is stated in the first line of this blog, ie “more than 2200 cases today” A “case” is a condition that requires medical treatment or hospitalization, NOT just a “positive” test. The CDC said months ago PCR tests are not accurate. If you want to get the “cases” down, stop testing.
Mahalo
Most hotels require 48 to 72 hours notice to avoid fees for cancelation. That would be another impossibility with a 24 hour testing requirement. If Hawaii implements a 24 hour test, I think you will see massive cancelations and more devastating consequences to the travel industry.
But, there is a segment of Hawaiian society that would be fine with that.
They would only be okay with it because they would expect the mainland taxpayers to supplement them.
CDC says it can take as long as five to seven days to test positive if you’re vaccinated. What to do about that??? Sigh. Stupid Covid.
I’m vaxxed and boosted and now they are saying we may need another booster prior to my planned April trip, which I am more than happy to do. But if the state implements pre-testing within 24 hours of arrival it just seems like another deterrent to visiting. 72 hours was hard enough. 24?!?! A good way to discourage tourists if that’s the goal. Creating more stress with all the changes; bookings, cancellations, re-bookings..Everyone do their part to protect themselves and others and let’s end this
Are the hospitalized locals or tourists? Tourists are jumping through the hoops so the locals can go unvaccinated? Then tourists get blamed for the rise. Perhaps it would be better if locals would step up like the visitors are doing.
We fully support testing regardless of vax status. We pre-tested 3 days prior to our trip in Sept and will pre-test prior to our trip in Feb – we’re also fully vaxxed and boosted, so we’re not just talking the talk.
Safety first.
And more and better testing prevents what? The same as masks, lock downs, vaccines, no travel, 6 ft separation, closed economies, and prior testing.
Hawaii currently has Omicron. Testing will not stop it from spreading.
This appears another “do something” exercise from a government that knows it cannot contain the virus but is desperately trying to create the political illusion it can.
“You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep Spring from coming.”
― Pablo Neruda
I don’t get “more testing” as a strategy, either. But, like everything else these days, half the people can’t get enough testing, and the other half have to be forced/bribed. I’ve only taken one COVID test this whole time, and that was to travel to Hawaii without quarantine. Since then, we have used the vax card. We’ve been keeping a couple of Vault tests handy in case Hawaii goes back to mandatory tests. They were “free” (courtesy of government) and don’t expire for a long time.
They should of been testing the vaxxed the whole time. That’s the whole problem they think they are immune
JUSTIN… Interesting that you refer to those vaccinated as “they” which leads me to believe you aren’t vaccinated. And I don’t know of a single vaccinated person who believes they are immune to Omicron. Would love to know your source!
We’re at the 2yr mark with Covid. We’ve masked, locked down, quarantined & gotten the jab. Covid is here to stay, Omicron is a mild flu and is not filling hospital beds. Government needs to stop the hype and quit using it to control Americans. States will soon financially collapse under the constant change in regulations. I too have lost a loved one to Covid but,its time for ALL Americans to grasp reality and live their lives! This has gone too far!
I came last winter, getting the 72 hour test prior to coming. It was challenging but we made it work coming from the east coast. We are scheduled to return in late January. Though we both had covid in the summer, we were getting vaccinated to comply with protocols. Now this???
While I appreciate your updates, each one elevates my stress level. With us flying to the west coast on a Sunday, I am concerned about the logistics of getting a test prior to flying to Maui on Monday morning.
We’re leaving on Wednesday, I wonder what happens if they change requirements between now and then? Certainly not enough time to use a Safe Travels partner test. We’re vaxxed, boosted, masked, stay away from crowds whenever possible and still use sanitizer. Have there been many cancelled flights to HI?
I copy directly here- “Vaccines aren’t effective at limiting the spread of Omicron although they may remain very useful at reducing the severity of the disease. In addition, recent reports say that even those who have had Covid boosters may only have the ability to block transmission for up to 10 weeks.” Notice the word “may”.
Tests don’t work, vaccinations don’t work…no reason to get jabbed. Use logic and stop following senseless rules. Get on with life.
I would love for Hawaii to adopt the same requirements as Puerto Rico. It makes so much sense to me to require everyone, vaccinated or not, to show a negative PCR test, given the Omicron situation. My husband and I would be happy to do this, and we are vaccinated and boosted. Finding tests could indeed be problematic and I hope that situation changes really soon! So grateful for your helpful news, as always.
Hi Glenna.
Thank you. Wet appreciate your input.
Aloha.
GLENNA… I assume you’re not planning to travel to Hawaii in the near future or your response wouldn’t have been so cavalier!
The people with severe cases tend to be unvaccinated. Most vaccinated people have seasonal flu symptoms. So if people don’t wish to get vaccinated, that’s on them. Hawaii need not focus on control of all people. Let people make their own common sense life decisions. Most people are capable of that if you let them.
SEAN… So you’re saying that not being vaccinated is a “common sense” decision!?!?!
Barbara M. No that’s not what I wrote or what you believed you read. Barbara Government control is not necessary for most and people can make common sense decisions on their own. Hawaii leadership has not come up with a solution in 2 years and people should not rely on their back and forth policies. Most people know how to keep themself safe.
Sean
SEAN… I have to disagree – the thousands upon thousands who have chosen to reject science and not get the COVID vaccine are not, IMHO, showing “common sense” and if to accept “common sense” means government rulings, then so be it.
Barbara , for the record I’m 2 times vaccinated plus a booster (My choice). Shouldn’t people have the choice as to what is injected into their body without the you or the government bullying them publicly and saying they have no common sense?
Sean
Many past articles state that the vast majority of COVID positive cases in Hawaii are residents not visitors. Why not focus on increasing the resident vax numbers up instead of further complicating the already burdensome travel restrictions? Also, if visitors and residents are vaccinated, it seems that Omicron is similar to a cold and does not require hospitalization. I am not sure why there’s so much panic over this variant, especially if it’s not causing hospitalization for the vaccinated.
How many visitors who get COVID get tested and report it here in HI? I would bet very few. How many are asymptomatic and spread it to service personnel here? How many wear masks indoors and out? My family works in hospitality, and from their reports, Waikiki is packed with unmasked mainland tourists. Further,if you check USAfacts website, you will find that 86% of locals have at one does, 77% of eligible people are fully vaxxed. We have better stats than most states, what about yours?
I hope they figure this out soon. I’m heading over in a week!
Aloha,
We should look at the bright side of this. No one has a cold of gets the flu anymore. Amazing!
Grateful for all that is-
Mahalo
Hi Stephanie.
True that. And now, when anyone has cold symptoms, we assume…
Aloha.
Hi Barbara.
PR provided one week’s notice of their changes.
Aloha.
This would be a nightmare trying to figure out the timing for the testing if it’s based on arrival time. We leave in 4 weeks for Maui, but are overnighting at LAX “just because”. There’s no way we will be able to get tested within 24 hours of arrival unless testing is offered at LAX by some miracle.
I’ve already booked a backup stay in March in case things get too crazy…
LAx does.
ktla.com/news/local-news/rapid-covid-testing-site-opens-at-lax-international-terminal-amid-omicron-concerns/
Thanks for that information, Diana. The worry would be that Hawaii does not drop their ludicrous “trusted partner” requirements and whether the testing center at LAX would be added to the list.
All travelers need to manage this aspect of their travel, or go to somewhere like COVID central, Florida, for vacation. It’s no different for us residents when the resident restrictions come into play in the past or for trips to MX, etc.
Except, no one has tried to manage a trip to Hawaii with 24 or even 48 hour testing requirements. Most people traveling back from Mexico (I assume that’s what you mean by “MX”) are able to utilize testing provided by their hotels, and is based on departure time not arrival time. That is far different than trying to get tested within 24 hours of arrival to Hawaii.
Florida is not Covid central. Florida had no lockdowns, no mask mandate and no jab mandate yet, their numbers are far better than California which is locked down like a prison! It’s time to resume life again. If we get the vaccine then thats all we can do. Omicron is only a mild flu and is NOT filling hospital beds. Everything I’ve read says that Hawaii locals account for the majority of cases in Hawaii.
BTW I don’t live in Florida
Mahalo,
TJ
Clearly you are not tracking data on Florida and cases per population number, deaths, etc. Of course, please go visit the place you think is so safe then, and leave HI for post-pandemic.
So good for LAX – what about all the other mainland departure airports. Not everyone travels thru LAX!
Great, Barbara. You are correct. But Ed C asked about LAX, NOT everywhere in the country. You can do research using google for your location, Barbara.
DIANA… You are correct and I misread. But this will be our second trip during COVID so I am very familiar with what is offered locally (which in the past has been nothing) and at our departure point (which costs $250 per person!).
DIANA… Great that there is on-site testing – which just went up from $200 per person to $250!
Traveling during a pandemic has negatives. There are other places you can travel if you do not like HI policies.
Hawaiian Airlines tests in 24 hours I do it all the time. In LA. In Culver City near the airport at Worksite Labs Testing/Hawaiian Airlines. Look it up.
They have never let me down.
Aloha
STEPHANIE… Good for you – but not everyone travels through LAX!
OR maybe not panic over positive tests, and instead worry about whether there is a problematic impact on Hawaii’s “limited health care resources.”
As of December 24, there were 73 patients with COVID in HI hospitals statewide, including a dozen in ICU. The HIEMA does not breakdown between visitors or residents, vax status, age, or anything else. According to hearsay, most hospitalized nationwide are at least over 50, obese and unvaxxed.
Or panic over positive tests and go full Aussie.
No, to a new testing model. Those pushing for this 1. Have no data to back up the need 2. Have no clue how hard it was to get an approved test even last summer let alone in the winter 3. Just how expensive these tests cost. The ner effect of doing this would be an immediate shut down of the key segment of hi economy for no purpose as the SA variant has a tenth of the hospitalizations. I don’t think tathit’s test upon arrival would work as too many arrivals
Au contraire. We live in HI, needed them to travel in state and out, and managed to get them for both, with approved partners, and results back in less than 24 hours.
DIANA… Good for you. Until recently, we had to travel 7 hours to get a Rapid Results test and as for the “plain-ordinary” PCR test – you could only make a reservation three days in advance and had to get on-line at 12:01am to get a reservation! Oh, and did I mention that once we made that 7 hour trip, the cost was $200/person (now up to $250). Guess you’re luckier than most!
Despite a global pandemic causing economic, shipping, supply, and travel issues, you decided to book a trip, most likely one that included a very cheap airfare. If you can’t deal with the concomitant travel issues that a pandemic brings, it’s best to stay home.
International travel should never have been reopened Nov 8th. Test kits for Covid should have been a priority. Therapeutics should have been approved and made available. Now we all will suffer from the poor leadership that has made 2021 more deadly than 2020.
How many people are willing to have a booster shot every 10 weeks? Are there long-term dangers of multiple boosters?
If most people are using at home Covid tests, the true number of Omicron cases may be much higher than state numbers.
I find the entire thought process over safety travels one big farce. It’s very clear no one in the scientific world knows what to do or maybe not willing to disclose what they in fact do know. I see a common thread globally over omicrom that seems to be more politically motivated and less scientific. There has been an enormous amount of hypocricy over the past two years to validate this conclusion. omicrom? Whether vaxxed or not thosee who are “tested” most are not ending up in the hospital. Wh
A new record. Things need to go back to socially distanced inside. And all travelers must be tested to come into HI. Resident, vaxxed, or not. And hopefully NOT 72 hours, but 24 hrs.
If you aren’t limited to a “trusted” partner to test it will make it easier for travelers to get test results within 48 hours. We are fortunate to have “trusted” testing at the Sacramento Airport that provides results within 24-48 hrs. When we pretested last April for our Kauai visit we got results within 26 hours. If results were required within 48 hrs that’s as close as I’d want to cut it.
for some reason they are not offered in CA but the walgreens in reno have the IDNOW test and we usually get results in an hour. so if youre on the east side of sac this is not a bad option
JAMIE… Keep checking. Until very recently, not a single “Trusted Partner” in our entire state offered Rapid Results. Now they do – and in our state, the cost is $0 as the state absorbs the cost of any and all testing.
My husband and I recently returned to Kauai after a visit to Seattle. We are both triple vaccinated. Some very sick young children sat next to us on the flight. My husband developed symptoms on day 5 of our return. He tested positive later that day. It took 5 days to present. How do we deal with that when trying to screen our tourists?
Dang it – if they do this, I’ll have to figure out what time it is here locally when we arrive versus what time it is on Kauai when we arrive. I thought this was going to be a mental vacation as well as a physical one! And they better make an announcement soon – if that is what’s going to happen – because appointments are scarce and you could “blow it” if you miscalculated!
And Puerto Rico is one island! WOuld Hawaii be what time you arrive in Honolulu (if changing planes) or at your final destination (Honolulu would be what I assume).
Frankly, I doubt any testing system is going to work. Omicron is there already and it’s going to go through a population with few immunities due to recent immunization or having had it already.
And since the immunized can get it, but generally don’t end up hospitalized, get vaxxed.